“Ron, this year since the Shelter ended, JSS has provided tents and/or sleeping bags to 76 homeless persons. This is amazing! This information shows what a valuable resource JSS is and that it is only accomplished through donations from people who care.

The other Churches in the Nomadic Shelter did not continue to contribute, but JSS provided some continuum of services after the shelter ended. Three days a week. JSS is like a lifeline to the homeless. JSS is there 12 months a year, shelter or no shelter!Christ Like Services, Green Valley Saturday Cafe and FAITH are the only other resources available to single homeless persons on an annual basis that I am personally aware of.
Just my two cents worth!
Jan”

Thank you Jan. And God has blessed us all, the “givers” and the “receivers.”

Speaking of the Nomadic Shelter and the up-coming “winter months,” planning has begun, and the following notice, is very important. PLEASEattend.

There will be a fundraiser to generate the money that is necessary to get the Nomadic Shelter up and running and to also keep it going for the allotted time. Now recognizing “that a camel is a horse put together by a committee,” the committee can’t, or did not inform me, after many requests, of when, how much, etc. it will take place. I understand that it will be held at the Federated Church.

Remember to attend and support this effort when and if you hear about it. You can send a check to the JSS address below with a note that the donation is for the Nomadic Shelter.

“Whatever the problem, be part of the solution. Don’t just sit around raising questions and pointing out obstacles.” Tina Fey

“There is nothing harder than the softness of indifference.” Jaun Montalvo

CRC, Only Kindness, JSS, Job’s Shelters of the Sierra, and Community Haven (formally Hangtown Haven) have now joined together in partnership to provide a home for five homeless men and women in El Dorado County. It is located in Diamond Springs and has been the home leased by Community Haven for Partners in Care and Marshall Hospital for housing homeless who needed minor medical care. Since that contract has recently expired, Community Haven has been concerned that the home would be lost and could no longer be used for the homeless. But the new agreement allows them to continue the lease and give five homeless residents a place to live. Each partner has the following responsibility:

Community Haven will lease the home and maintain it while providing food from the Food Bank and maintain finances

JSS will utilize the garage for storing clothes, tents and sleeping bags for distribution

CRC is not the exclusive provider of residents. If anyone else has a suggestion for a resident and openings exist, they can be admitted.

This partnership is a landmark advance in helping the homeless in our county because this is the first time that three non-profits have combined into one organization to help the homeless year round. It is planned that this partnership will continue beyond the Diamond Springs facility and will be available to the county as the only experienced facility and program providers in the community. Each of the partners has its own experience and expertise that will make the combination successful in providing the items our homeless community needs.

Success of this venture is not guaranteed and needs financial support from the community. Residents will be asked to contribute, but donations from the community will be required to meet all of the costs.

Hopefully this will be expanded and will be the road to a continuing and successful homeless program in our county.

Women helping women:

Women working on the front line, up front with social action attempting to give those women who by whatever reason have found themselves homeless, destitute, and looked upon as not worthy of our societies abundance. Here are three women that defy that view of community involvement of “not me.” These ladies provide the only clean undergarments that these “ladies of the street” get. They provide the “women’s touch” to women’s problems.” Besides the undergarments, these ladies know what is needed and what can be substituted for items that other ladies take for granted as well as the hygiene and yes social appearance needs. The most important item is the roll of toilet paper. That roll is the only thing they have that is sanitary and clean. It is used as the necessary nose tissue for that runny nose, as well as the only clean thing they have to cover the cut they might endure while living on the street. That toilet paper, folded over and over again substitutes for the pad they used to have available, and then the original use is just one of the necessary convinces. Our JSS ladies have learned by experiencing and listening to the ladies of our homeless population. Patent leather is out. Durability is in. Light and colorful clothing gets dirty fast and tends to make them stand out as homeless. However it is fun for shot interludes sometimes. Yes, there also are ladies who are mistaken as “social volunteers” who in fact are homeless but keep their appearance clean and presentable. Our goal is to make that available to all homeless women.

A Thought

“Anti-intellectualism has been a consistent thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that ‘my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.’” ………Isaac Asimov

COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER

Spring Dinner

Raising Funds to serve Veterans, Moms and Dads who lost jobs, Seniors and others who are homeless or in danger of losing safe shelter.

Celebrate the Memorial Day Weekend with us.

Saturday, May 23rd 5:00-8:00 pm

The Veterans Hall at the Fairgrounds

130 Placerville Drive

$15/person, sit down dinner

Raffle baskets & dessert auction

For Information or Tickets, call 408 460-2061 or go online at www.edcrc.org

Again we want to thank all of you for your efforts in providing understanding, in your love for your fellow humans and especially those who have the very least.

JSS is loosing its storage unit. Storage is essential to serving the homeless. We can not pay rent but are looking for a place to construct a 10X14 foot, lockable, storage unit (or to use one already built) that would be accessible to our van drivers who distribute clothing, etc. to the homeless community three days a week.

We would keep it very clean. All of our drivers are, polite, understanding, and pleasant people (that’s them in the pictures below) and would use the storage only during the daylight hours. We must have the unit constructed and moved into within 30 days; 60 at most. Can you help?

After 9 years of giving, we are now in need of asking for help. Thank you for thinking of us. JSS is so very blessed by your donations. It is important for you to know that JSS shares your blessings

Again we want to thank all of you for your efforts in providing understanding, in your love for your fellow humans and especially those who have the very least.

Yes, $5.7 million for a homeless facility by El Dorado County for single dogs, cats and other four footed animals. Nothing for two legged, single, human animals, related in some way to the County, to persons in the County, or where born in the County. Is something wrong with this picture????

“Be not afraid of being slowly, be afraid of standing still” (Chinese Proverb). 120 different homeless persons used the Nomadic Shelter this past winter. JSS has registered 125 persons who were given a tent and/or a sleeping bag within the last 12 months. JSS supplied over $6,000.00 in tents and bags alone; and not including our other expenses. Yes, we need your help. Please consider our two-legged friends, the homeless population of El Dorado County.

Your support helps persons who are without a place to lay their heads, fill their belly, have wearable, clean clothing, and have a small sense of being thought of, you have to remember, “A free society is a society where it is safe to be unpopular” (Adlai Stevenson). And we are unpopular with county government because we attempt to provide for the citizens who are “the least of these our brethren.”

Around 2009 when Art Edwards was President of United Outreach, , and El Dorado county turned over Perks Court to United Outreach for service to the homeless population of ED County, JSS was invited to use the unused “storage building” as a place that JSS could store the donations that they were given to distribute to the homeless. A written agreement between JSS and Art Edwards, as President of United Outreach to allow JSS to use that building was executed. JSS refurbished the building, put in electricity, repaired all leaks and made it useable. JSS also was one of the main volunteer organizations that made Perks Court useful. When United Outreach changed its administration, JSS was told to leave. That building has remained unused except as a “dump it all” storage shed to this day. How sad! Over $8,000.00 in storage fees could have gone to serving the homeless population.

Presently, JSS pays $114.00 per month for a 10X15 storage unit. As our donations are not now covering that expense because of “special needs” purchases, post office costs, and what other small administration costs we do have, we need to ask for financial assistance. Our four vans are out every week ministering to our homeless community.

JSS is so very blessed by your donations. It is important for you to know that JSS shares your blessings

Again we want to thank all of you for your efforts in providing understanding, in your love for your fellow humans and especially those who have the very least.

The Nomadic Shelter Ends. God bless those churches and those volunteers who participated and made it happen regardless of the County’s disregard for those persons in our community who can’t “pay the rent” to live in El Dorado County.

We all commend the following churches that gave of themselves to help those in our community who do not have a safe, warm place to sleep during our winter months. Thank you to Green Valley CC, Solid Rock Foundation, Cold Springs CC, Federated Church, Foothills UMC, New Hope Church for 2 nights a month and Cameron Park Christian and Rolling Hills for 1 night a month.

We also want to thank those who are homeless, yet gave of their time and efforts in assisting the volunteers in managing the Nomadic Shelter in the different shelter locations. They are examples of the “good citizens” of El Dorado County. ……………………………….The New Criminals in Placerville City: Yes about 60 to 80+ in all: Persons who have mental issues and no legal construction to sleep in are now violating ordinances of the city and are now branded as “criminals.”

Foster children recently put out of the Foster Care programs are now criminals if they can’t find a place to sleep in a legal location. They are now acting against ordinances of the city and are now branded as “criminals.” Early releases from prisons are now acting against ordinances of the city and are now branded as “criminals.” Again!

Long time citizens of El Dorado County who, for various reasons are poor , without a “home.” are now violating ordinances of the city and are now branded as “criminals.”

Physically disabled persons who do not have a home to go into are now acting against ordinances of the city and are now branded as “criminals.”

A tent on public land makes you a criminal, as does a gathering in a “public” park. And yes, those who abuse alcohol and drugs, the same label. “Christian” El Dorado County is only for the rich and those who can pay the price to live here whether or not you were born here. Those are harsh words, but true. …………………………………………..

Job’s Shelter of the Sierra (JSS) Van will be out each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday stopping where homeless persons can be found, providing the clothing you have donated for them. Practical clean clothing, tooth brushes, clean socks, the all important rolls of toilet paper are provided; and to those with special requests, razors, wipes, adult diapers, etc. are given. JSS in partnership with you is able to provide these items. Churches and organizations who can’t, for some reason, host the homeless during the winter months, can collect donations of clean clothing to be distributed to the “least of these our brothers and sisters.” Money for our Tent/Bag distribution is so very important.

Each Tent/Bag combination cost JSS about $50.00 each. We give out over 100 of these combinations, each year.Each person gets one bag and one tent within a 12 month period. The bookkeeping in itself can get confusing. Contact JSS at the e-mail address below. JSS can’t do it alone. Collected clothing can be dropped off at Foothills UMC, 3301 Green Valley Rd., Rescue/Cameron Park for pick up. ……………………………………………..

“Theory of Change.” The county committee on evaluating the homeless issues in El Dorado County has met again and is still stalling the issues. This “Three Phase” evaluation is going to take two to three years to complete. Placer County did it all within a year. El Dorado County is again far behind other counties in providing for their homeless citizens. It’s just “Blah, Blah, Blah and no action.

El Dorado County Supervisors, aren’t you ashamed?

Please, three Compassionate Supervisors step up! …………………………….. “Partners in Care” is ending their relationship with Marshall Hospital and is looking for 5 responsible homeless persons who have some form of income to share the now vacated “Partners in Care” house. Contact Art Edwards @ 530-622-1103 …………………………………… JSS is so very blessed by your donations. It is important for you to know that JSS shares your blessingsAgain we want to thank all of you for your efforts in providing understanding, in your love for your fellow humans and especially those who have the very least.

JSS is so very blessed by your donations. It is important for you to know that JSS shares your blessings with others who serve the homeless community.JSS primarily serves the single homeless population, so we want to share what we have that is suitable to those who help the women with children and homeless families. HELP House (Housing Emergency Lodging Program) has facilities and provides emergency housing for predominately families. JSS, through a generous donor, had new blankets to be shared as blankets are a scarce item when housing families. CRC (Community Resource Center) houses women with children and also could use some of the new blankets that we had received from our generous donor. Clothing that is not suitable for the “on the street” homeless person, JSS donates these items to the “clothes closet” at Green Valley CC or to the Snowline Thrift Store.The Odd Fellows in Placerville city,Morning Star #20 I.O.O.F, collected and then gave JSS a lot of useable jackets. As I was told, their name is derived from them forming in this area in the 1800s as an organization that cared for widows and children of the miners and pioneers of the west who had lost their lives. That was considered “Odd” that these rough and hardy men would take care of women and children. And today you and I are sometimes considered Odd that we are helping “those homeless persons” or those “undesirable people.” …………… Be Proud!
JSS/FUMC Nomadic Shelter has rearranged their storage unit in Diamond Springs and found many items that are not useful to our homeless community. We are always asking for donations and are blessed with what we have accumulated over the years. However there are items we do not need or can’t use. The following is a list of what we can’t use:Keep in mind that homeless persons have to carry everything they own. Items have to be practical. Or they are just extra weight they need to carry. They lack water. They lack storage of unnecessary items.

Granola bars (Damaged or lack of teeth.)

Shampoo and hair-rinse (Lack of water availability)

Small size clothing (Layers of clothing used)

Shirts with collars (Homeless do not wear collared shirts)

Dresses and skirts. (Not practical, very few exceptions)

Dress shirts and pants (Not practical)

Bright colored anything. (Not practical, very few exceptions)

Blankets and pillows. (Not practical, very few exceptions)

We understandably think what we might want, or what we want them to want, but“the street” is unforgiving and stark, basic practical items is the norm.“That bright colorful item should cheer anyone up.” That bright item turns dirty and drab within a day or two and then becomes degrading and a burden. With lose of dignity.

County Update: “Theory of Change”
“Theory of Change.” The county committee on evaluating the homeless issues in El Dorado County has met again and is still stalling the issues. This “Three Phase” evaluation is going to take two to three years to complete. Placer County did it all within a year. El Dorado County is again far behind other counties in providing for their homeless citizens.

Again we want to thank all of you for your efforts in providing understanding, in your love for your fellow humans and especially those who have the very least.

This mother of two I first met about 8 or 9 years ago behind K-mart when I first began the Job’s Shelters of the Sierra ministry. Lisa was sort of the “mother hen” of one of about four communities of homeless people living in the Manzanita behind K-Mart. After we got to know each other, Lisa told me her “story.” She told me this, and I now relay it onto you. Born, raised, nurtured in El Dorado County. She was married; they had a home, her husband was a pile-driving technician for a bridge construction company (a well-paying job). She had two teenage boys who were in school, and Lisa was a homemaker. One morning the oldest boy went outside and witnessed his father dangling from a tree in a suicide attempt. The oldest son, who was present while Lisa was telling me this, made the comment, “he couldn’t even do that right.” Lisa heard her son yell, came out of the house, cut the rope, and her husband fell to the ground. An ambulance was called, but he died before getting to the hospital. There was some money in the house, and she had her two sons lived off of it;but shortly the bills came, the creditors came, and they lost everything they had. As it turned out, her husband, although he made very good money, had gambled it all away. Eventually everything they owned was taken as security for money to pay the gambling debts. Everything is gone! Lisa is forced to the streets as she has no marketable skills. Her oldest son follows in her footsteps. Her younger son continues going to high school, “couch surfing” until he graduates. The younger son joins the Army. I have met him; he got married in the last year or two.Lisa and her older son continue on the streets and are reduced to do whatever she needs to do for survival. She did advance to a job with a non-profit here in El Dorado County, but pretty soon lost that job for multiple reasons. During that time she had a place for her and her older son to stay, and she even acquired an automobile; but through her actions she lost it all. Just in the last few weeks at age 48 Lisa died of liver failure due to probable substance abuse.This story plays out many times in El Dorado County and in every county in the United States.

Lisa and her older son hated and condemned banks for taking away everything they had. Lisa indicated to me at one time that she had checks (thinking she had money). Even though Lisa was smart, I felt she didn’t have the concept that you need money in the bank to write checks or make withdrawals.She lacked “living” skills that many of us take for granted. She had to learn new skills.

What does our El Dorado County do for their citizens who just can’t cope?

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Perks Court:

Perks Court, the United Outreach location that houses a total of 6 persons, has been abandoned by United Outreach. The County is showing an interest in maintaining that facility. So they can say, “El Dorado cares for the homeless in their County.”All of 6 people!Anyway, when United Outreach abandoned the property they commenced disposing of all the furniture, etc. The JSS crew and I were there, 5 years ago and built, dug sewer lines, constructed book shelves, (my wife painted the bookshelves and stocked them with books), furniture was donated to the house, not to United Outreach, and my crew and I put in electricity. Now it sits empty. I understand that the county wants someone to take over what Untied Outreach abandoned, so the County can say they take care of the homeless in El Dorado County.All 6 of them.

WHAT A WASTEof County property and resources. Three buildings but will allow only 6 people. Then, they make it impossible for any non-profit to operate it. And most importantly, the non-profit would be expected to operate at no cost to the county. That is outrageous!

Those who live in this County, and pay taxes, and contribute now, better watch out if tragedy hits and they become one of those who have the very least: The Homeless.

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A memorial service will be held for Lisa Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014 at Cold Springs Community Church.

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean. Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?” The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.” “Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish.” You can’t possibly make a difference!” After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said, “I made a difference to that one.” Story by Loren Eisley

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The politician, Mayor Wendy Thompson; The pastor, Frank Gates; The dreamer, Bob Durell; The long time resident, Art Edwards; The business executive, Paula Lee, as well as many others in our community are ones who “made a difference to that one.” ……... That one is your brother or sister in life. Join others who “make a difference” one starfish at a time.

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The Nomadic Shelter starts up on November 1. I (you) can make a difference by asking around, “who needs some help?” A local church, maybe my (your) church can use some assistance, or phone Paula at 916-225-9631 and tell her what night you can serve and she will tell you who to contact. Organize your group and host a complete night.Join others who “make a difference” one starfish at a time.

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The Pathway to Change group (The County Committee) appointed by the BOS made a presentation to the BOS on Sept. 30th to describe the results of Phase One of the project. Matt Huckabay made the presentation to the Board and answered questions. Phase One outlines the needs of the homeless community including significant steps and appropriate measures that would show success along the way.

Matt asked the BOS to approve the continuation of the project into Phase Two, which will be a discussion of the need for a homeless shelter here in the county, what it might look like and where it might go. Phase Two requires some minor funding, and the BOS was asked to contribute half of the amount. The other half has been pledged by a local non-profit. The change group is waiting for a response. The members of BOS seemed to be happy with the presentation with the exception of a couple of the supervisors who seemed to be reluctant to do anything to help the homeless. Comments were made; such as, “We are already providing many services to the homeless, why do we need to do more?” It is unlikely that these members will ever understand the plight of those living on the street or be willing to do anything to help them survive. Work will continue to provide shelter and services to the homeless community in our county.

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We need your in-put to your supervisor to answer that question “why do we need to do more.”

“Every person possesses an intrinsic dignity and worth just by virtue of being human.” Damon Linker

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I will follow this issue with an article covering the death of Lisa Whitiker, one of our homeless persons who passed away this last week. How she got where she was, and the person she was, and how we became friends.